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NBA Daily: 2023-2024 Season Preview – San Antonio Spurs By Reylan Loberternos PhilBoxing.com Sat, 21 Oct 2023  SAN ANTONIO SPURS 2022-2023 Season Win-Loss Record: 22-60 Depth Chart: PG – Jeremy Sochan, Trey Jones, Devonte Graham, Blake Wesley SG – Devin Vassell, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie SF – Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Cedi Osman PF – Victor Wembanyama, Sandro Mamukelashvili CE – Zach Collins, Charles Bassey, Dominic Barlow Injury Updates: No significant injuries. Head Coach: Gregg Popovich Headliners: The Victor Wembanyama era has officially begun. All eyes are set on arguably the best and most hyped prospect since LeBron James was drafted over 20 years ago, and some may even say ever. At just a shade under 7’4” with guard-like abilities, the lanky phenom has dramatically put the San Antonio Spurs on every NBA fan’s radar. He is the franchise’s third first overall draft pick. The other two, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, who each won the Rookie-of-the-Year honors, are already enshrined in Naismith Basketball of Hall of Fame. Barring any career-threatening injuries that may derail his path to greatness, the 19-year-old Frenchman is bound to follow suit as ROY and later on join them, alongside other fellow Spurs legends Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, George Gervin, and current head coach Gregg Popovich in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Spurs were dead last in the Western Conference last season with a win-loss record of 22-60. The only worse team in the entire league were the Detroit Pistons at just 17 wins against 65 losses. Gregg Popovich’s wards weren’t only one of the worst teams offensively last season, but they were also the worst on the defensive end, as well. One may argue that it was all by design, as the team’s primary focus then was to develop and improve their youngsters led by then rookies Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley, while also improving their chances at snatching Wembanyama. Winning wasn’t actually part of the plan. That whole season was somewhat of a glorified practice session. This time around, though, the pieces are already in place, starting with literally and figuratively the biggest piece in Wembanyama. If his impressive showing in the pre-season games is any indication, the Spurs are in it for a major upgrade as the season unfolds. His length, athleticism, agility, and instincts will instantly make the Spurs difficult to score on when he’s on the floor. On the other hand, his speed, unselfishness, basketball IQ, shooting ability, and sheer size will make him match-up nightmare for any team on the offensive end on any given night. With Jeremy Sochan (6’8”) expected to man the point as a starter alongside Devin Vassell (6’5”), Keldon Johnson (6’5”), Victor Wembanyama (7’3”), and Zach Collins (6’11”), the Spurs will parade a starting lineup that will have an average height of just under 6’9”. This team, with obvious size and length, can switch from one-through-five with ease on defense. Four of them will also have the ability to push the ball immediately after snatching the defensive rebound, which translates to easy baskets and correspondingly improve dramatically the team’s fast break points production. Keldon Johnson was the team’s top scorer last season, but his efficiency suffered because the opposing defense had him as the primary target. Now, he’ll have much room to operate and shoot more uncontested shots at his natural position at small forward, with Wembanyama and Vassell taking majority of the defensive attention away from him. Speaking of Devin Vassell, if he stays healthy, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in what could very well be his breakout season. Playing only 38 games last season, he averaged 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals on a nightly basis. With a vastly advanced offensive repertoire, stronger build, better spacing and improved players around him, those numbers are only going to progress. The Spurs shock troopers aren’t too shabby, either. Composed mainly of the other young guns and a slew of wily, yet still-so-young veterans, they are very much equipped to sustain the starters’ momentum when they are rested. Apart from being an insurance package on nights and instances that Sochan struggles at the point, Tre Jones is going to be the steady and calming presence, as well as able distributor for the bench gunners composed of Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Cedi Osman, Doug Mcdermott, Devonte Graham, and Blake Wesley. The frontcourt will also be backed up by returning bigs Charles Bassey, Dominic Barlow, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. David Robinson brought about a 35-win improvement in his rookie season. Tim Duncan bested that in his first year with a 36-win turnaround. If Victor Wembanyama’s impact is anywhere near that of those two previous Spurs top overall draft picks, then San Antonio is at a very enviable place moving forward. Fifty wins and a playoff appearance in his rookie season aren’t too farfetched at all, even with the very stacked Western Conference. The question, however remains, will he stay healthy and be able to stay on the floor? Only time can tell. Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.  |
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